What is RTI?

RTI stands for Right to Information, a term commonly used in India. The Right to Information Act, of 2005 is a law enacted by the Government of India which establishes a legal right for every citizen to access information held by the government or public authority. This act gives citizens the right to request information from public sources and for the public authorities to disclose the requested information within a specified period, subject to certain exemptions. The RTI act is meant to promote transparency and accountability in government and is considered an essential tool for ensuring good governance.

Who are the members of RTI in India?

The Right to Information Act in India establishes the Central Information Commission (CIC) and State Information Commissions (SICs) at the state level, as independent and quasi-judicial bodies, to hear complaints and appeals from citizens who are denied information.

The Central Information Commission (CIC) is a statutory body located in New Delhi and headed by a Chief Information Commissioner. The Chief Information Commissioner is assisted by Information Commissioners, who hear and decide on RTI complaints and appeals.

Similarly, each State Information Commission is headed by a State Chief Information Commissioner and assisted by State Information Commissioners. These bodies hear complaints and appeals from citizens regarding the denial of information by public authorities under the jurisdiction of the state government.

In summary, the members of the RTI bodies in India are the Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners at the Central and State level.

How does RTI work?

The Right to Information Act in India works as follows:

1. Request for Information: A citizen can request information from a public authority. The request can be made in writing, online, or through other means, such as email, fax, or in person.
2. Receipt of Request: The public authority must acknowledge receipt of the request within a specified time period, usually within five working days.
3. Processing of Request: The public authority must then process the request, search for the information requested, and collect it from various sources. If the information is classified or exempt under the RTI Act, the public authority must apply for the relevant exemptions and inform the citizen accordingly.
4. Disclosure of Information: The public authority must then provide the information to the citizen within a specified time period, usually within 30 days. If the information is exempt, the public authority must explain why it cannot be disclosed.
5. Appeal: If the citizen is not satisfied with the information provided, or if the information is not provided within the specified time period, they can file an appeal with the appropriate Information Commission.
6. Hearing: The Information Commission will hear both sides of the argument and make a decision. The decision of the Information Commission is binding on the public authority and the citizen.
7. Penalties: If the public authority is found to have acted in contravention of the RTI Act, the Information Commission may impose penalties on the public authority, such as a fine or a reprimand.

In this way, the RTI Act provides a mechanism for citizens to access information held by the government, and for the government to be accountable and transparent in its operations.

Anyone in India can ask information in RTI

Yes, any citizen of India can make a request for information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The RTI Act provides a legal right for every citizen to access information held by the government or public authority. This means that any individual who is a citizen of India can make a request for information, regardless of age, gender, education, occupation, or any other factor. The purpose of the RTI Act is to promote transparency and accountability in government and to empower citizens by giving them access to information that can help them exercise their rights and hold the government accountable.

How do I obtain copies of documents under RTI?

To obtain copies of documents under the Right to Information (RTI) Act in India, you can follow these steps:

1. Prepare a request letter: Write a request letter that clearly and concisely states what information you are seeking. You should provide as much detail as possible about the information you want, including dates, names, and other relevant information.
2. Determine the public authority: Identify the public authority that holds the information you are seeking. This could be a government department, a public institution, or any other body established or constituted by the government.
3. Submit your request: Submit your request in writing, either by hand, by post, by email, or online through the RTI portal of the public authority. Some public authorities also accept RTI requests through fax or other means.
4. Pay the fee: Most public authorities require a fee to be paid when making an RTI request. The fee is usually nominal and is meant to cover the cost of processing the request.
5. Wait for a response: Once the public authority receives your request, they must acknowledge receipt of your request within a specified time period, usually within five working days. The public authority must then provide the information within 30 days unless there are exceptional circumstances.
6. Appeal: If the public authority denies your request or if you are not satisfied with the information provided, you can file an appeal with the appropriate Information Commission.
7. Obtain the documents: If your RTI request is successful, you will receive copies of the documents you requested.

It is important to note that the RTI Act includes certain exemptions, which means that not all information held by the government is automatically available under RTI. In such cases, the public authority must explain why the information is exempt and cannot be disclosed.

The Right to Information (RTI) Act in India provides a legal right for every citizen to access information held by the government or public authorities. The purpose of the RTI Act is to promote transparency and accountability in government and to empower citizens by giving them access to information that can help them exercise their rights and hold the government accountable. The RTI Act establishes the Central Information Commission (CIC) and State Information Commissions (SICs) at the state level, as independent and quasi-judicial bodies, to hear complaints and appeals from citizens who are denied information.

Any citizen of India can make a request for information under the RTI Act. To obtain copies of documents under the RTI Act, a citizen can follow these steps:

1. Prepare a request letter: Write a request letter that clearly and concisely states what information you are seeking. You should provide as much detail as possible about the information you want, including dates, names, and other relevant information.
2. Determine the public authority: Identify the public authority that holds the information you are seeking. This could be a government department, a public institution, or any other body established or constituted by the government.
3. Submit your request: Submit your request in writing, either by hand, by post, by email, or online through the RTI portal of the public authority. Some public authorities also accept RTI requests through fax or other means.
4. Pay the fee: Most public authorities require a fee to be paid when making an RTI request. The fee is usually nominal and is meant to cover the cost of processing the request.
5. Wait for response: Once the public authority receives your request, they must acknowledge receipt of your request within a specified time period, usually within five working days. The public authority must then provide the information within 30 days unless there are exceptional circumstances.
6. Appeal: If the public authority denies your request or if you are not satisfied with the information provided, you can file an appeal with the appropriate Information Commission.
7. Obtain the documents: If your RTI request is successful, you will receive copies of the documents you requested.

The RTI Act includes certain exemptions, which means that not all information held by the government is automatically available under RTI. In such cases, the public authority must explain why the information is exempt and cannot be disclosed.

The Central Information Commission (CIC) is a statutory body located in New Delhi and headed by a Chief Information Commissioner. The Chief Information Commissioner is assisted by Information Commissioners, who hear and decide on RTI complaints and appeals. Similarly, each State Information Commission is headed by a State Chief Information Commissioner and assisted by State Information Commissioners. These bodies hear complaints and appeals from citizens regarding the denial of information by public authorities under the jurisdiction of the state government.

In this way, the RTI Act provides a mechanism for citizens to access information held by the government and for the government to be accountable and transparent in its operations. The members of the RTI bodies in India are the Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners at the Central and State level.

In conclusion, the RTI Act is a powerful tool for citizens in India to access information held by the government and to hold the government accountable. By making a request for information under the RTI Act, citizens can exercise their right to information and help to promote transparency and accountability in government.